Dianna Reichelt. executive director of Los Alamos JJAB speaks at recent Kiwanis meeting. Courtesy photo
BY BROOK DAVIS
Kiwanis Club
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board of Los Alamos (JJAB) is an organization that works to
reduce community youth risk behaviors, facilitate youth development, and build resiliency
through responsive and effective programming. At the August 4 th Kiwanis meeting, their Executive Director Dianna Reichelt explained the organization’s history, purpose, programs, and response to community needs.
In 2004, JJAB was formed by a joint resolution set by County Council and Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) to provide prevention, early intervention, and graduated sanctions programming so youth could satisfy their court requirements without having to go to Santa Fe or Albuquerque.
JJAB obtained nonprofit status in 2007 and currently manages and/or funds 19 programs. Their board of directors includes representatives from many areas, such as public schools, LANL, law enforcement, business leaders, CYFD, attorney’s office, social services, elected officials, senior citizens, and County Council.
JJAB’s Resource Specialist Program receives referrals, mostly from LAPS, for youth in need of their services. A Resource Specialist completes a thorough intake with family to assess needs and an individual case plan is created which allows for referrals to additional JJAB programs.
Youth must be between birth and age 18 and live in or attend school in Loa Alamos County. One Circle Program provides support groups led by trained adult facilitators. Groups build peer connections and discuss important issues. Groups are held in most LAPS schools during the school year. 120 youth participated in 20 groups in FY26.
The Seven Challenges is an evidence-based program that helps youth examine their drug use, develop critical thinking skills, and make healthier choices. 17 youth have been served through this program since its implementation in Fall 2024. Youth Peer Support Program provides Specialists who have lived experience and can provide peer connection with youth experiencing substance abuse, mental health, or systems navigation challenges. 694 adults have been certified to date in JJAB’s Youth Mental Health First Aid Program training to learn about typical adolescent development, signs of mental health or substance abuse challenges, and crisis intervention.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides monthly developmentally appropriate books for
children up to age 5, which encourages a life-long love of reading and parent/child bonding and has served 631 children in FY26. The JJAB Therapy Program that gives priority to youth that are uninsured, in mental health crisis, involved with Protective Services or Juvenile Probation, of low income or part of a marginalized population is currently on hold pending recruitment and hiring of clinicians.
JJAB has several community projects, including a school supply drive, winter clothing collection, teen movie night and community conversations. They are working to face many challenges, including mental health provider shortages, long waits, lack of availability and lack of collaboration between mental health providers and other community organizations.